It is closely related to thebanana plant.
The bird of paradise plant is named for closely resembling the tropical bird of the same name.
It is easier to grow than many tropical plants and makes for a vigorous, rapidly growing indoor plant.
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
It can be moved outside in the summer where it may thrive for a few months.
These plants grow with upright leaves emerging directly from the soil and have no trunk.
Strelitzia is toxic to cats and dogs.
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
Light
This plant needs bright light, including some direct sunlight, to bloom well.
Avoid rooms with only a north-facing window.
Soil
Use rich, well-drained potting mix for potted plants or a compost mixture.
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
Water
Keep the soil continually moist throughout the year.
If overwatered, the plant will develop crunchy brown leaves.
If underwatered, the leaves farthest from the center will turn yellow.
The Spruce / Jacob Fox
Temperature and Humidity
Bird of paradise prefers high humidity.
You might want to keep a spray bottle handy to mist it if your home is dry.
Keep the air temperature above 60 degrees F in the winter.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
This is not a cold-tolerant plant and it recovers slowly from frost damage.
Fertilizer
This plant is a heavy feeder.
Feed it in the springtime with slow-release pellets or weekly during the growing season with liquid fertilizer.
When growing it indoors, place the plant in a window facing east or north.
If you only have areas with direct sunlight, rotate the plant regularly to ensure even growth.
Be careful not to overexpose the plant and scorch the foliage.
nicolai(white bird of paradise).
Pruning
Birds of paradise flowers last for about three weeks before dropping their petals and dying.
Remove old or damaged plant matter.
This is the best way to thin the leaves.
Remove the leaves by pulling them off or using sharp cutting instruments.
Sterilize the implements in between different plants.
If a leaf appears mostly healthy, leave it intact.
Do not use hedge trimmers, which leave ragged cuts.
you’re free to cut all leaves and stems down to just above the ground.
If the plant remains too crowded, use long-handled pruners and remove selected stems and leaves.
Propagating Bird of Paradise
The best ways to propagate birds of paradise are by division andsowing seeds.
Division is easier and quicker than growing from seed.
It’s best to use mature plants that have previously bloomed for at least three years.
For smaller plants, you might use a sharp knife.
If potting the division, you will need a new pot and a well-draining potting mix.
Here’s how to divide strelitzia.
It can take two months for the seeds to germinate.
A bird of paradise that is 3 to 4 feet tall grows well in a 10-inch pot.
A 5- to 6-foot plant usually thrives in a 14-inch pot.
Repot it every spring into the next-size-up pot.
Once it reaches maturity, allow it to be pot-bound so that it will bloom.
Repotting disrupts the bloom cycle.
Cover the entire stem and rhizome area with a layer of mulch, then leaf litter, and straw.
Cover that with breathable row cover material and stake it down.
As soon as spring arrives and the threat of the last frost is gone, remove the toppings.
Systemic pesticides are also effective.
Remove the affected parts of the plant and allow them to air out.
Typically bloom occurs during March, April, and May.
What do Bird of Paradise Flowers Look Like?
The plant comes in an array of bloom colors depending on the variety.
Insufficient light is one common reason a bird of paradise fails to flower.
It is most prone toroot rot and insects that prey on the plantwhen its optimal conditions are unmet.
It can be avoided by letting the soil dry out between waterings.
Another sign you have root rot includes a rotting smell.
Some plants can be saved if caught early.
Curling Leaves
Curling leaves are a sign of underwatering.
confirm the plant doesn’t sit in the water because soggy soil can cause other problems.
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leavescan mean several things.
An occasional yellow leaf on a mature plant is normal.
However, many yellow leaves may signal low humidity or lack of nutrients.
If the yellow leaves are located toward the outside of the plant, it needs more water.
The plant develops slits to allow the plant to circulate air around its leaves and roots.
Wind and breezes contribute to slitting.
Air circulation keeps mold and other pests from settling in.
Bird of paradise is easy to care for but has a few requirementslike regular feeding and watering.
It’s one of the easier tropical specimens to grow with relatively few pest problems.
Bird of paradise is a slow grower, sometimes taking up to five years to mature and flower.
Watch for overwatering and verify if the soil is draining properly.
Too much water can result in root rot and irreversible damage.
Bird of Paradise.American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Bird Of Paradise.Arizona State University.
Managing Pests in Gardens: Bird of paradise, Giant bird of paradiseStrelitzia spp.
University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
